It was hard to script a better way to go out on senior night for Tibbits, who scored 16 points in the second half.

“That was an awesome game,” Tibbits said. “It’s awesome playing in front of all the students and parents, and on the opposing side there was a big crowd,” TIbbits said.

Another storybook night transpired by senior guard Jake Schmitt, who was next on the team with 12 points. He sank the go-ahead three with under two minutes remaining that flipped what was once a six-point deficit to a three-point advantage at 62-59.

DeLaSalle fought back to cut it to 64-61 and sent Schmitt to shoot one-and-one free throws with 14.3 seconds left. The front end shot bounced off the iron.

“I’m just thinking we can’t let Nas get a shot off,” Schmitt recalled his thoughts while racing back on defense. “We had to make someone else beat us because he’s been hot all night.”

Whitlock initially passed it off to a teammate as time ticked away, but he got the ball back at the top of the key.

The Lehigh University commit soared for the potential game-tying shot. 

Schmitt soared higher, as he swatted the ball away with no chance for a rebound when the buzzer sounded.

“Just a big win. We stuck together,” Schmitt said. “That’s really what did it for us. We didn’t make a ton of shots tonight, but at the end of the day we found a way to win.”

Togetherness is what Whitlock says will buoy the Islanders after a hard fought-loss. It’s what allowed DeLaSalle to finish the regular season with a 21-5 overall record, a 15-0 run to a Tri-Metro Conference championship and the No. 5 spot in the latest Star Tribune Metro top 10.

Wayzata moved to 20-4, has the Lake Conference title locked up with one game to go and is No. 6 in the Metro top 10.

“We’re together. That’s our motto,” Whitlock said. “Everything we do is together. We win together, we lose together, we tie together. We do everything together. If we stay together, we’ll be alright.”

Whitlock’s supporting cast hit six of the team’s 10 threes, including three for junior guard Jaden Morgan. He was next for DeLaSalle with 11 points.

When crunch time came, it was Whitlock’s time to shine. He scored the team’s next 15 points to help the Islanders surge ahead 56-51 with under six to go.

It was a master class first-year head coach and DeLaSalle assistant for nearly a quarter century, Todd Anderson had a front row seat to see.

Anderson couldn’t help but think of some of the stars like Tyrrell Terry, Reid Travis, etc. who have come through Harriet Island and made a lasting impact.

“Nas is a typical DeLaSalle Islander,” Anderson said. “Cut from the cloth of the greats. A competitor, leader by example in the classroom, on the floor. He’s a joy to be around.”

Whitlock was lethal Tuesday with the jump shot. Tibbits did most of his damage penetrating the defense with elite ball handling and court vision.

Tibbits ended the game in a flurry, scoring all of Wayzata’s points in an 8-3 run that tied the game at 59.

That set the stage for Schmitt, whose go-ahead triple took roof off the building.

“We’ve got eight guys who have given a lot to this program,” Schnettler said. “When I first got here, most of them were in fourth grade. I’ve seen them grow up year by year, day by day. I’m really proud of them. I’m fighting back tears a little bit right now. Senior night is not easy when you know it’s coming to an end, but they’ve earned the right to have nights like this and hopefully we’ll have a few more coming up in March.”